Israeli army begins sending reservists into Gaza

Source: Xinhua | 01-12-2009 07:49

JERUSALEM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday has begun sending its reservists into the Gaza Strip, signaling an expansion of the IDF ground incursion in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave.

A weapons system fired by Israeli forces explodes over the northern Gaza Strip January 10, 2009. Israeli tanks advanced on Gaza and Hamas militants fired rockets at  Israel on Saturday, as both sides ignored international calls to stop the conflict and Israel warned it would  escalate its assault. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

An IDF spokesman told Xinhua some reservists have already entered Gaza and others will go afterwards. He declined to say how many reservists will go into the Strip.

It was the first time that the IDF deployed reservists into Gaza since it began the Cast Lead Operation, which entered the 16th day on Sunday, killing more than 900 Palestinians.

The move does not necessarily mean that the IDF has begun the third phase of the operation, noted the spokesman.

The first phase, beginning on Dec. 27, was the massive air strike on Hamas targets throughout Gaza. Phase Two was the entrance of IDF ground troops on Jan. 3, and the third phase is believed to be an expansion of the ground incursion, possibly into the densely populated area of Gaza City.

The operation will continue as long as it is needed, and will be enhanced if IDF is required to do so, said the spokesman, adding that the aim is to deal Hamas a harsher blow.

About a week ago, Israeli government announced that it had approved call-up of tens of thousands of reservist soldiers, ordering the IDF "to draft the necessary reservists, on a scale of tens of thousands of troops."

The announcement was made almost simultaneously with the launch of the Gaza ground incursion, which aimed at halting rocket fire on Israel's southern communities.

Roughly a week before the announcement, nearly 10,000 reservists had already been called up in a previous order by Israeli defense establishment.

The deployment of reservists into Gaza came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that the IDF is approaching goals set for the Cast Lead Operation.

He said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting that it is time to "translate our accomplishments into attaining our goals," stressing that what had been achieved so far in an "unprecedented effort" must not be lost at the last moment.

"Israel is approaching the goals it set for itself, but we require further patience, determination and effort so that our citizens can feel safety and stability," said the prime minister.